Music for Alzheimer’s: A Promising Intervention for a Difficult Diagnosis
The number of Canadians living with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia will reach one million people by the end of the decade. According to Alzheimer Society Canada, the costs for those living with dementia are estimated to be five and one-half times greater than for those who are dementia-free. The financial, emotional and physical impact also extend to caregivers, who spend an average of 26 hours a week caring for their loved ones. As a caregiver, one of the greatest challenges can be seeing your loved one experiencing neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as agitation or depression, as a result of their dementia.
Pharmacological treatments have largely proven ineffective, counterproductive and prohibitively expensive, with the average dementia-treating drug costing about $360 million to bring to market. Non-pharmacological treatments, including exercise, special diets and increased socialization, can prove difficult or impossible to maintain—especially as the dementia progresses.
Yet another solution exists, with history stretching back centuries. Bolstered in recent years as a groundbreaking and evidence-based care model, music therapy can stimulate emotional and physical responses to provide much-needed relief across a range of illnesses, including Alzheimer’s.
Using music as medicine, LUCID has built upon its clinical research to develop a groundbreaking, non-intrusive solution to treat some of the main symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
LUCID's approach to music as medicine
Transforming music into medicine, LUCID is leveraging clinical insights to develop a digital therapeutic which reduces anxiety, agitation and other neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia.
“Past research has demonstrated that personally meaningful music can reduce agitation, anxiety and other neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease,” said LUCID Chief Science Officer Dr. Frank Russo.
“Past research has demonstrated that personally meaningful music can reduce agitation, anxiety and other neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease,” said LUCID Chief Science Officer Dr. Frank Russo. Dr. Russo is a professor of psychology in Ryerson University, where he holds the SERC-Sonova Senior Research Research Chair in auditory cognitive neuroscience at Toronto Metropolitan University. He is also a Fellow of the Canadian Society for Brain, Behaviour and Cognitive Science (CSBBCS).
“Over time, these reductions may help reduce the reliance on off-label medication use, which has become exceedingly common in care homes. In addition, the reward aspect of personally meaningful music may help contribute to temporary increases in cognitive function. These temporary increases may be deeply meaningful for caregivers and patients alike.”
The company has completed the design research phase of its digital therapeutic – dubbed LUC-101 – and preliminary validation testing is set to begin in the second quarter (April-June) of next year.
“We've applied LUCID's expertise in adaptive music experiences and machine learning to help caregivers support their loved ones with Alzheimer's with the right music at the right time,” said LUC-101 product manager Alex De Raadt.
“We've applied LUCID's expertise in adaptive music experiences and machine learning to help caregivers support their loved ones with Alzheimer's with the right music at the right time,” said LUC-101 product manager Alex De Raadt.
The artificial intelligence platform combines machine learning and neuroscience to create a personalized playlist of music and binaural beats targeting the neuropsychiatric symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. The technology stems from LUCID’s first randomized controlled clinical trial, completed earlier this year, and can reduce anxiety in line with other sound-based treatments.
Music interventions can 'spark joy'
Music interventions such as LUC-101 can ease symptoms and “spark joy,” according to LUCID co-founder and CEO Zach McMahon.
It stands in line with 19th-century poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s declaration that music is “the universal language,” which was recently supported by researchers at Harvard University who found that musical features can share meaning despite social and cultural boundaries.
These auditory arrangements of rhythm, melody, harmony, timbre, dynamics, texture and form connect us all, and for those living with Alzheimer's, it can provide a significant connection beyond verbal communication.
Music plays a critical role in the development of autobiographical memories and their recall, according to a 2008 study where patients who listened to personally meaningful music each day experienced increased attention, a recovery of verbal memory and a substantial mood improvement.
Owing to its ability to stimulate positive emotions and high arousal, a person’s favourite music will soon be wielded as an effective, non-invasive intervention, opening the door to a revolutionary new avenue for helping those living with dementia.